It all happens in slow motion.
I watch as she gets out of his hold, easily. He expects her to run so he probably loosens his hold, knowing that he can easily catch her.
From the ground, I scramble on all fours towards them, just as he manages to grab the back of her hair and pull her down. But she locks her own legs around his and her weight is enough to make him fall.
The gun goes off, to the ground. Or maybe the gun dropped and then went off? All I know is that I need to help her.
I push myself up, racing towards them. A boot to his ribs has him letting go of Amelie.
“Go get help!”
She turns to leave. Bastian gets up, his gun missing, but a knife taking its place.
Now this is a fight I can get on board with. They say never bring a knife to a gunfight, but always bring a knife to a fist fight. Or maybe that’s just something I say?
He thinks he’s walking out of this alive, but he has no idea who he is messing with.
Chapter Forty-Five
Slate
My head snaps towards the woods at a very sharp sound that propagates throughout the trees. An untrained ear they wouldn’t hear it, but Onyx has an obsession with firearms and how they sound in different circumstances.
Someone just shot a gun.
My feet take off before the echoing sound of the gunshot fades. Frost must have heard it too, even over the distant chaos around the front of the building. I think we’re the only ones who have come round the back to make sure no one was left here, hiding. He runs beside me, pointing to the west side of the trees, saying he will radio it in.
I don’t wait.
I continue to run as fast as my legs can take me. Faster even. If she’s hurt, I won’t survive. I’ve never wanted anything as much as I want her to be okay.
Bile rises in my throat at the thought she might not be.
My body is running on pure adrenaline.
Hearing something new – maybe footfall?– I push myself forward, stumbling through the trees into the thick undergrowth. It’s dark and savage, branches and thorns tear at my arms as fast as I can fight my way through them. I don’t even care that my white shirt is stained through with blood. I have to get to Amelie. Nothing else matters.
My legs burn from the assault of branches and thick shrubbery. How far in are they? I see a figure and I run full speed to take them out, my body is thrown backwards before I get a chance to collide with the fucker. I hit the ground hard, my air constricted from being clothes lined by something. I blink, trying to make my eyes adjust again, and suck in some much-needed air.
“Slate?” Sawyer questions.
“What the fuck?! You almost killed me!” I snap.
“I saw someone running at Kalen, he already has a concussion.”
Kalen steps out and holds a handout to help me up.
“Did you hear the gunshot?” Sawyer asks, and I nod. “I think it came from that direction.”
“Slightly to the left actually,” I say.
Sawyer trusts my instincts, he knows how many hours Onyx spent listening to this kind of crap. He wanted to be the best, and all his time goes into training or studying, because we choose to share a room, I’m an expert too. I’ve never been so grateful for Onyx’s annoying obsessions and perfectionism.
Another shot fills the air, closer this time. Too close for comfort. We all take off running, There was no denying where the sound came from. A clearing comes into view up ahead.
I know my brothers are just as worried as I am. We all reach the open space at the same time. A cold sweat washes over my body and bile rises to my mouth. I lose the contents of my stomach.
The sight in front of me isn’t what I was expecting, and I hate myself for the relief I feel.
